Ribeiro, António E.Pais, Luís S.Rodrigues, Alírio2011-12-022011-12-022005Ribeiro, A.E.; Pais, L.S.; Rodrigues, A. (2005). Influence of mobile phase composition on the preparative separation of profens by chiral liquid chromatography. In 9th International Chemical Engineering Conference. CHEMPOR. Coimbra. p. 29-30http://hdl.handle.net/10198/6365The chirality of drugs is an important issue for the pharmaceutical industry, since the different enantiomers of a racemic drug may have distinct pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects. Because of its chiral selectivity, human body reacts with a racemic drug differently, and metabolise each enantiomer on separate pathways producing different pharmacological activity. Thus, one isomer may produce the desired therapeutic activities, while the other may be inactive or even, in worst cases, produce unwanted effects. Flurbiprofen [2-(2-fluoroo4-biphenyl)-propionic acid] and ketoprofen [2-(3-benzoylphenyl)-propionic acid] belong to a family of chemicals named 2-arylpropionic acids, or profens, an important sub-class of the frequently prescribed and used drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A considerable number of these drugs possess antipyretic activity in addition to its analgesic and antiinflammatory actions, and thus have utility in the treatment of fever. The main primary indications for NSAIDs therapy include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, acute gouty arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and dysmenorrhea (DeRuiter, 2002). The importance of this class of drugs is supported by U,e fact that, in the last twenty years, drugs like aspirin, phenazone derivatives or acetaminophen are being supplemented by profens (Brune and Hinz, 1998).engconference object